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Incredible building which is very similar to the Burj Al Arab sail shaped hotel on the beach in Dubai. It is spotless and no expense has been spared. Rooms are huge and the views are breath taking. Great outdoor swimming pool. Most 5 star hotels struggle to generate any atmosphere and they are mostly quite sterile. This hotel is the same but has two further disadvantages, the hotel is largely empty and the staff (the real potential in any hotel) are largely disinterested in the few guests that are in the hotel. I walked into the restaurant for breakfast and I was the ONLY guest there. I counted 7 staff and not one said good morning to me. I felt unwelcome.

It was my second time at the hotel and compared to my first experience about 9 years ago, the stay was much more pleasurable. The hotel is as beautiful as its images, or more so, unless your eyes are easily strained by the abundance of gold :) The rooms are large and airy (try to get an odd-numbered room, then it won't be facing this large ensemble of heating aggregates outside that make permanent humming noise. Not loud but noticeable). The restaurant is actually surprisingly nice and has an abundant menu, and my Carbonara one evening was so good that I didn't hesitate to order it again (although the manty that waited for 45 minutes were sadly underwhelming). A special word goes to the staff of the hotel that goes above and beyond to make the guests feel really cared for. Their flexibility, friendliness, availability and a word of advice were greatly appreciated.

Given that this is supposed to be the best hotel in Turkmenistan I was disappointed. The hotel itself is very grand and the rooms we got at least were very big and spacious. The room had a great view of the skyline. Even I believe. The odds were facing another direction. The indoor pool was nice and big and heated. Breakfast was average. Had some breads and cereals, fruit, boiled eggs, and vegetables which one day included potatoes and I guess u can get an omelet but this is not written anywhere and my friend had to ask. Nothing to write home about. Now on to the bad. The whole hotel was so hot. We went in march when it was still Chilly outside but inside the hotel was a sauna. The Rooms were hot. The AC would not go down past 25. I like it especially cool when I sleep so I was very uncomfortable. I even had to move my bed over by the window and sleep with the window open. The gym was very hot. I asked the guy if he could turn the air on so he comes in the room and pushes the button just like I had done. 20 min late still on 25.5 so I go back and he was rude to me and basically didn’t care. Said it’s on. The pool and surrounding areas were about 80+ degrees Fahrenheit, even hotter then the rest of the hotel. Restaurant- hot. You get the point. Speaking of the restaurant the food was not great. Steak and chicken were very overcooked. Chicken salad with fruit was doused in some mayo like dressing that didn’t say on the menu. Tuna salad was bland and small. Just to make a few things. Expected more. This hotel cost us about $400 auSD a night, and when we checked out we were told we had to pay for the coffee. It said 2 complimentary but they were Nescafé packs apparently. It said nowhere else on the pricing list about the coffee pods. I’m Paying that much a night and don’t even get free coffee. I told the lady she needs to make it more clear and she was extremely rude and insisted I pay. And it was expensive 21 manat for a tiny cup of coffee. Listed nowhere. Was not impressed with the service. The bell hops were nice and accommodating but that’s about it.. would recommend trying another hotel if you make it there. Not worth the price

A stunning hotel with great views over the city of Ashgabat. The lobby is impressive, staff are helpful. The room was a really good size with nice bathroom. The bed wasn't very comfortable but overall it was a good stay. Food in the upstairs restaurant was surprisingly good. The carpet shop in the lobby is great to pick up a carpet - good prices. Shame the outdoor pool was closed already despite it being around 30 degrees and sunny

Hotel is out of the town, so no walking around. Huge rooms. Aircon is extremely cold. Very limited breakfast and very strangely arranged - porridge, plates and spoons are located in 3 different places. Disastrous mattress. Impossible to turn off lights without walking after each lamp.